Last week’s elimination on RuPaul’s Drag Race left plenty of fans in shock: after trying so hard for so long to get on the show, Mayhem Miller seemed destined to make the Top 3 this season. With one of our strongest contenders suddenly chopped and no clear front-runner in the crowd, we thought it was time to assess the remaining nine.
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Who has what it takes to snatch the crown?
1. Asia O’Hara
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Her improv performance wasn’t everything we would have hoped for, but it also wasn’t outright bad. And on the runway, she’s repeatedly brought the fire: despite tripping up in the Ball, it speaks volumes that she has the chops to make three outfits for herself and still help everyone else. Plus, the promise that she’s going to get more cutthroat has us ready for her to raise the game even higher. We think there’s a strong chance she’ll make it to the finale.
2. Aquaria/Miz Cracker
We hate to keep lumping these two together, but the editors do it so consistently that we don’t have much choice. The truth of the matter is that they’re both fierce fighters, but there can be only one. Our prediction? A lip sync showdown between the two of them to determine who makes it to the final episode, because one of them probably will, but not both.
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3. Blair St. Clair
This baby-faced broad surprised us with how well she’s turned it out thus far, delivering solid looks on the runway and solid placement in the main challenges. Still, safe isn’t enough, and anyone that who needs to use a safe word with her scene partner probably doesn’t have the nerve to be America’s Next Drag Superstar. Expect to see her sashay.
4. Eureka
Season 9’s returning hopeful is certainly making a big impact. (And yes, that’s a fat joke: she’d never forgive us if we didn’t make one.) Personality-wise, she’s still clashing with her sisters, but the judges appear ready to serve up her redemption arc, even if that means force-feeding it to us. It’s not 100% clear that she deserves to be in the Top 3, but we could see it happening for plot-related reasons.
5. Kameron Michaels
Even with some extravagant eleganza on the main stage, she’s fading way too far into the background. Ru says Miss Vanjie more than she says Kameron. No doubt about it: her days are numbered. Maybe she should have auditioned for Pit Crew after all.
6. Monét X Change
On the one hand, she’s considered one of the top queens in New York, and that kind of reputation is difficult to come by. On the other hand, she can’t seem to translate that prowess into success in this competition. Then again, she’s such an incredible lip syncer that she might ride that place in the bottom all the way to the end, knocking the other girls out one by one. We put the odds at 50/50 that she’ll stay the course.
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7. Monique Heart
How many times has she said she should have won now? A lot. And if we’re being honest, she really has turned out some spectacular looks, some hilarious one-liners, and an overall charming persona that makes us root for her. She’ll have to really push to get the panel’s attention and squeeze out a win or two, but if she can manage it, then she has an outside chance at the crown.
8. The Vixen
At this point, her “don’t poke the bear” mentality has left her out in the woods. With previous winner Tyra Sanchez threatening violence against other performers and even DragCon attendees, Ru can’t afford to choose another loose cannon to represent her brand. Even if the Vixen’s fashion and wit propel her to the end (which seems increasingly unlikely anyhow), there’s probably no way for her to convince the judges that she’ll carry the title responsibly.
Who do you think will be America’s Next Drag Superstar? Comment with your predictions below!
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Kieru
It’s a little early to make any big statements but my eyes are almost entirely glued to Miz Cracker and The Vixen. They are the only two who are consistently on point with their outfits and their performances.
The other girls have their moments but that seems to be all it is… a moment where they shine, and then they just sort of fade back into the background. Blair was great in last weeks episode… but otherwise she is just a cliche Pageant Queen on the show; all face and no substance. And I mean… took getting out of drag and having a floor fit to make Eureka stand out last week…
Meanwhile Cracker and Vixen are consistently serving up something funny or fierce or both.
DCguy
Two things I think are odd about the article.
1. I think the author Chris Kelly (Whose recaps I normally love!) is too inside drag. Because nobody who actually WATCHED Drag Race this season ever thought Mayham was a contender. She’d seemed very lackluster after the first episode and I wonder if Chris made that judgement call because they’d seen Miss Miller perform and so assumed she’d be top.
The other one, is, I get that the Tyra thing is in the news right now, but Vixen has won challenges, Cameron Michaels has not. Putting them that far apart when one has succeeded more than once and one never has seems again like a very odd choice.
I have to agree with @Kieru, Vixen, Miss Cracker, Asia, and I think we might get a surprise from Monet or Blair
Chris Kelly
Just to clarify: the contestants are listed in alphabetical order, not in the order in which I think they will be eliminated.
Nowuvedoneit
Please anyone who knows anything about this season knows Miss Clair’s dui comes into play and she leaves the competition.
DarkZephyr
DUI? Why? Drag Race girls have been in prison, in porn, in drug scandals…that hasn’t stopped any of them before.
DarkZephyr
Just googled it and I see what you mean, although, c’mon now. Why such a spoiler? That’s not cool, Dude. I hope our moderator comes along and deletes this.
Kieru
I don’t think that her leaving is a certainty… it’s something everyone has been assuming because the story frames her being in LA a violation of a court order. No one seems to have bothered to ask if she secured a work exemption.
Nowuvedoneit
@DarkZephyr you’re on a page that is trying to spoil who wins and you’re mad at me? The point is moot anyways she is no longer in contention.
Brian
They’re not spoiling who wins, they’re making predictions. Huge difference.
Prax07
Been watching and there’s no one on this season that I’m rooting for or that is a big stand out. They’re all just average.
JessPH
Eureka has just won the last challenge making her the first girl to win twice this season. She is currently the frontrunner. Many may not like her very loud and dominant personality but no one can deny that the girl is Talented. The most important part of the C. U. N. T.
I’m rooting for her to win and be crowed it’s first big girl winner.
Steve
The Vixen has got to go I can’t stand her one bit
Roan
Well, it isn’t going to be Blair St. Clair.
Roan
Eureka seems to be finding her groove.